EVENT | bgo Meet-Up at The White Cloth Gallery

When Haydn from Joe's Blog Network got in touch with me, I was a little apprehensive. I've never attended a blogger event before! Especially as it was in Leeds, because I go to university at Newcastle, I know more bloggers in that neck of the woods.

But, I took a leap of faith and went anyway on my own! There's probably an idea for another post there! 'How to attend an event on your own and not be scared'! I usually find it quite easy to chat to people, but as I know the blogger community can be very close knit, I was worried everyone might know each other and me, no one.

I was very pleasantly surprised. Everyone was so friendly and lovely and welcoming. We started off with a few complementary drinks, so I had a chance to introduce myself.

We were then given a starter lesson in Blackjack and Roulette…Let's just say I don't think I'll be going to vegas anytime soon. We weren't playing with real money though, phew!

As the drinks were flowing and gambling getting more competitive by the minute, a few social media competitions were running simultaneously.

 These were the prizes. Unfortunately I didn't win any. I was too busy gambling to be looking at my phone, of course!

 The White Cloth Gallery was such a good venue for this type of event.

I wore; Skort - Topshop | Top - Urban Outfitters | Necklace - Urban Outfitters | Boots - Topshop

I spent most of my night with Rina Deb (right), Alex from Clouds in a Violet Haze (left) and photographer/blogger Emily. Look at her photography here.

Oh and of course, Vern.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first blogger meet-up, and it won't be the last I'm sure. Thanks Joe's Blog Network!

Check out the bgo website here!

Have you ever attended an event on your own? Do you like Roulette or Blackjack? Are you involved with Joe's Blog Network?


Amy xi

RECIPE | Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

As an apology for being away from my blog so long, I thought I'd win you back with this healthy Oatmeal Choc Chip Cookies, that you don't even need special measuring tools for! Good ploy hey??

Sometimes I find at uni, the nights can be very boring if you're not going out or have no work to do, so baking can be a great way to relax and fill the time. However, most of us students don't have any measuring equipment to be baking anything near the likes of Great British Bake Off, so in this recipe you don't need fancy weighing scales!

All you will need is:
a mug
a tablespoon
a teaspoon
a mixing bowl
a pan
a tray


Ingredients:
3-4 cups of porridge oats
1/2 a cup of chia seeds*
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of raisins
1 cup of chocolate chips**
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of white sugar
1 large tablespoon of melted margarine

*optional - but they add a little healthy side
**dark or milk chocolate chips, I use both


Instructions:
1) Turn on the oven to 350 degrees F, and set out your ingredients and utensils in front of you

2) In the mixing bowl, pour in the oats and then add the chia seeds, baking powder, salt and sugars. Don't forget the best bit! Throw in the chocolate chips and raisins, or whatever else you might like to add, such as dates or hazelnuts.

3) Melt the margarine in a small pan and then dribble over the mixture. Stir it up!

4) If the mixture doesn't seem to be binding together, add an egg or 2 tablespoons of milk, which should do nicely.

5) Then cup the mixture into your hands, rounding it into balls (it's your choice to how big you make them). Then place them neatly onto the tray, leaving space in between so they have room to grow.

6) Slide them into the oven and make yourself a cuppa ready for when they come out! Leave them in for approximately 6 mins, but longer depending on how big you make them.

7) Bring them out and breathe in the most amazing aroma of baking cookies. Using a spatula, gently place them onto a plate or cooling grid (if you have one).

8) Leave them to cool and they should stick together perfectly. But of course, you HAVE to eat one warm, even if its too crumbly, because thats when they taste the best!

These cookies are pretty healthy already, but you can make them even healthier by using gluten free porridge oats, and coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. Using agave syrup will help them be stickier, and its also good for you! They still taste amazing the next day, especially as a snack with your afternoon cup of coffee.


Have you ever made a healthy cookie recipe? Or any other healthy desert recipe? Let me know if you've tried this one!

Amy xi

BACK IN BUSINESS

Sorry sorry sorry sorry. I have been very negligent to my blog recently.. but trust me when I say I've had the BUSIEST summer of my life. I've hardly even had time to gather my thoughts or even sit down for a glass of vino (which I usually can find time for)!

So, here's a lil recap. In June, July and August, I was travelling around South-East Asia. Anyone who's thinking of going.. GO! There will definitely be some posts in the next few weeks giving some tips and tricks on what to do, see, eat, read and where to sleep. Maybe even some insights into my travel diary, (ey eyy). I will also be posting LOADS of photos as I have so many.. Well I did manage to lose my phone and my camera so the amount of photos I could take was limited. But my best friend (who travelled with me) had a GoPro, and she took plenty on there.

After travelling I then had a loooovely, and v luxurious (compared to Asia) holiday in Spain with my family and a few friends. It was so nice to be pampered after slumming it for 9 weeks! Travelling sounds fun, and it is incredible, but it is so exhausting. Spain gave me the chance to catch up on sleep, put on a few of the pounds that I'd lost (and then some), and generally get back to normal health. And also, to catch up with my family, who I missed unbelievable amounts while I was away.

Getting back to England was a bit of a shock back into reality, as the just before starting my second year back at Newcastle Uni, I did a week of work experience at Mission PR Agency in London. It was amazing, and helped me to properly realise how desperately I want a career in the media. Especially our capital city, because I love it there. Even though the rush hour tube ride is almost unbearable, I'm sure I could get used to it!

So, back to blogging we go!


What did you do this summer? Have you ever been to South-East Asia? Or would you want to go? Let me know if you have any questions!

Amy xi

EVENT | Capital FM Katy Perry: Prismatic Tour

As some of you may know, I am currently doing an internship at Capital FM. And it comes with some perks! I've been working on a blogging project, where I find bloggers from the North East and get them tickets to events in the area. They can then blog about the experience, and also have the privilege of being able to say they are part of Capital's Blogging Team. 

Last week I got the chance to see Katy Perry's Prismatic Tour at the Metro Radio Arena. And I was so excited. Not only were the tickets complementary, but my friend and I had seats in the Capital box! It are located exactly opposite the stage, so they are in prime position to see everything. 

I wouldn't necessarily choose to listen to Katy's music on a daily basis, but I knew she'd put on a great show as she's so theatrical. And she did succeed. 

It was amazing how many lyrics and songs that sprung to mind whilst she played. I Kissed A Girl and Thinking Of You were my faves. They're was also a little pantomime interlude, where she dressed in a bright pink cat costume and chased an oversized mouse round the stage, which I shouldn't have enjoyed but I'm afraid to say I loved it..

Overall, it was a great night so thank you Capital for giving me the opportunity!

Have you ever seen Katy Perry live? Would you want to get involved in Capital's team?



In a bizzle,
Amy xi



(ps. Apologies for the photo quality, but it was very smokey in there!)

EVENT | Shindig XXII

Topshop Dress | Topshop Kimono | River Island Body Chain | Burgundy Converses 

It might be a little bit early for a festival style post, but May bank holiday gave me some inspo to write one, as I went to Shindig XXII by the Quayside in Newcastle on the 5th May!

Bank holidays are a pretty big deal at uni, as everyone just sees it as an excuse to get drunk and spend more money. Butttt, I'm really not sure why, as uni generally feels like one big bank holiday throughout the whole year.. except for those who have exams, unlike me (sorry, not sorry, hehe). When I was at school last year I remember some in the year above going to Shindig whilst I was stuck doing A-Levels and I wanted to be there so badly! 

I'm really not the biggest fan of festivals, ever since I went to Creamfields and the Sunday was cancelled because the whole park was flooded. All my things were soaked, muddy and ruined, and I've not been to a festival since. So, these one day festivals are ideal for me, as you get to go home a snuggle in a nice, warm and DRY bed, with all your possessions still alive.

As it's not quite summer yet, this outfit may seem slightly daring, but don't worry I did take a Primark Raincoat (only £9)! 

Bindi's are really trending at the moment, with Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner rocking them at Coachella. I tried to buy some from Topshop, but they are £6.50 for 6! Bit too pricey for my liking.. but Claire's Accessories did some for half the price, and they were just as nice. I also bought Coral Glitter Hair Colour, so my hair was temporarily dip dyed pink. I actually would consider dying my hair that colour, but my mum would never allow it, so guess just gonna have to leave it as it is. 

Do you like this outfit? What do you think of the line up?   


In a bizzle,
Amy xi

STYLE | It's a spring thing

Now the weather has finally picked up, and England is finally starting to look like summer, I'm trying my best to pick my wardrobe up from those wintery colours. Now, I know I won't be the only one (hopefully) but the main colour in my wardrobe is black. All black everything. Black dresses, black tops, black jeans and maybe a burgundy if I'm feeling adventurous! 

Topshop is really colourful at the moment, so instead of opting for another black dress, I bought an orange skort, which I have mostly avoided before because eeeeeeveryone has one. But there is a reason for that, they are very flattering! 

As you can't see the necklace very well in the photo, here it is ^^^ (Topshop)

I'm loving the tribal trend at the moment, and this necklace really matched the skort, adding more interest to a simple, white crop tee (Topshop).

This outfit would probably look better with white heels, so the next time it makes an appearance that is how it will be edited!

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have any tribal clothing?

In a bizzle, Amy xi

CAMPAIGN | AX Paris Competition

As I've just been approved by Etail PR and become part of their Blogger Network, think its time to get involved in one of their campaigns. The AX Paris Campaign really caught my eye, so here is my post! 

Click on the image to enter the competition to win a £500 wardrobe.. I already have.

Check out the new SS14 TV advert!

And the behind the scenes video!

Have you entered it? 

In a bizzle, Amy xi

BEAUTY | NARS Haul

So this is my first haul post, and I really don't know why I've not done it before! I don't usually buy NARS products, but I guess I was feeling a little spontaneous the other day. I know it looks like I've massively spoilt myself for no reason, but I had just had three vaccinations for my travelling expedition in summer so was feeling sorry for myself, and thought a little treat would make me feel better.

I needed a new highlighter and I always used to use NARS Island highlighter, which was slightly orange, but now I'm older I feel like I need a more sophisticated colour. The girl at the counter was so helpful and chose out a colour for me, which is called Copacabana. Copa cola cabaaaaana (you know, like the song?) Its really bright and really lightens up my face which I really think makes a difference, as bronzer alone sometimes looks dull. 

The girl who was helping me sort of got carried away doing my make up and added some blusher, which I never usually wear as I always thought it would look like drag queenish on me, but it really doesn't if you do it right! To apply, I smile cheesily and dab it in the plump part of my cheeks, making you look like you're always smiling. I chose Torrid, which is slightly peachier than the standard blusher, but it suits my olivey skin much more than a pinky tone. It just adds another dimension to my face, which looks much more natural than just bronzer. 

I also needed a new eyebrow pencil, so I chose Caucase. Its ashy tones give a really natural look and the waxy consistency of the pencil ensures your eyebrows don't look obviously drawn on. Naturally my eyebrow hair is white, which is odd when I have dark hair, but up until I was two years old I had bright white hair and then it turned brown... Weird! So my eyebrows stayed white I guess. It means that I really don't suit harsh eyebrows, and this pencil makes it easy to apply and shape, whilst also looking natural. If you want a more harsh line then thats easy too as its buildable with more layers. 

This eyeshadow pencil (No. 12) is great for shading in the corners and defining the edge of your eyeshadow. I hate using the same eyeshadow brush for the light and dark colours, because it means the blend in too much, so I needed one for the darker colours which I usually apply at the edges. Also, it really annoys me when the pigment flicks under your eye after you've done all the rest of your make up and it ends up looking like you have bags.. Not a great look. I don't know how it does it, but this brush ensures that doesn't happen, maybe because its so soft. The shape of the bristles mean you can create a really deep colour in the corner, contrasting to a lighter shade at the inside of your eye. 

I really love all my NARS beauty collection, and it was definitely money well spent. It also gave me a chance to use my Dad's Nikon camera, which is SO much better quality than my iPhone, and I'm pretty pleased with how these photos turned out to say it was my first time. Still getting the hang of it though!

Also, I apologise for the state of my nails, they have been done now, so do not worry hehe. 

Do you have any of these products? Which one is your fave?

In a bizzle, Amy xi

RECIPE | Healthy Roast Dinner

Isn't a good roast dinner just the best thing on a Sunday? Well, if you don't like it, then we can't be friends.. (only kidding). Coming home from uni on the weekend is just topped off perfectly with a beaut sunday roast at the end. The only thing annoying thats annoying about it, is that it isn't the healthiest meal. But, with help from ma mere (who is a trained chef, lucky eh!) I've learnt how to make an alternative which is just a fulfilling and yummy, but with less calories, so you feel less guilty!

Start off by roasting sweet potatoes, carrots and maybe a few cheeky real potatoes. 

 Add some herbs! Thyme is the best healer.. sorry for the pun!

After they've roasted for a long enough time, throw in some greenery! I've added celery and leeks. And if you have any spare left over then you can have them for a snack the next day with some humous or in a salad.

Meanwhile, the chicken has been bubbling away in the oven. My mum usually roasts it with bacon strips rested on the top so add some flava. 

Use the chicken stock to make some gravy. Boil a few lil peas. And voila! Your healthy, tasty sunday roast, guilt free (well apart from the cheeky glass of vino!)

If you want any more details of how to cook this, then I'd be happy to help, just post a comment below.

In a bizzle, Amy xi

Have you got any other additions/variations on how you'd cook it?